About Us

Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association

HISTORY

Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association (RIVAA) has a membership of approximately thirty-five artists dedicated to establishing an art center in a unique island location on the East River in New York, bridging Manhattan and Long Island City.

The Roosevelt Island Artists Association organized the “Art Frenzy” exhibition in association with PS1, Queens Council for the Arts, LIC Business Corp, Socrates Park and the Noguchi Museum in May of 2001. The success of this group art exhibition inspired the founding of RIVAA in June of 2001. The Board of Directors included: Arline Jacoby, President; Tadeusz Sudol, Vice President; Esther Cohen, Vice President; Harry Small, Treasurer, and Phillip Groner as Director/Legal Council.

Gallery RIVAA opened in the hub of Main Street, with space and a grant provided by Roosevelt Island Operating Cooperation (RIOC). The support of the community along with the hard work and dedication of the founding members and of the ethnically diverse group of artist members brought the gallery to fruition. Following a complete renovation of a former pharmacy located in the RIVERCROSS complex, the grand opening took place in March 2002, with a members’ group exhibit, “Vernissage1”.

Exhibition space is also provided to RIVAA artists by the OCTAGON Gallery located in the Octagon Building in Lighthouse Park on Roosevelt Island. Group and solo exhibitions run continuously at both Gallery RIVAA and the OCTAGON Gallery throughout the year, featuring work of RIVAA members and international guest artists - painters, sculptors, photographers, computer artists, graphic designers, ceramists and installation artists.

MISSION

Membership to RIVAA is open through a juried process to local artists willing to share their time and talent to continue the trend of excellence and professional quality as an established community art gallery and cultural center for the arts. RIVAA is dedicated to promote Roosevelt Island as the “Island of Art” link between Manhattan and Long Island City.

RIVAA supports the community in its efforts to enhance cultural development and collaborates in educational events to promote public involvement through the arts. Members volunteer art activities; including portrait sessions at “Roosevelt Island Day” and outdoor art for “Fall for the Arts” annual festivals. Musical performances, theatre, dance, book signings and poetry readings by talented professionals and various community gatherings are hosted on a continual basis by Gallery RIVAA.